Word Origin & History

fierce mid-13c., from O.Fr. fers, nom. form of fer, fier "wild, ferocious," from L. ferus "wild, untamed," from PIE base *gwer- "wild, wild animal" (cf. Gk. ther, O.C.S. zveri, Lith. zveris "wild beast"). Originally in English also with a sense of "brave, proud," which died out 16c., but caused the word at first to be commonly used as an epithet, which accounts for the rare instance of a French word entering English in the nominative case. Related: Fiercely; fierceness.

Example Sentences for fiercest

At this hour of fiercest sun the whole world slept with him.

The failure of the attempt was followed by the fiercest paroxysms.

A sight which roused in him afresh—on the instant—all his fiercest animosities.